Wilderness Lodge Walking Tour

Map of Resort

Front Entrance

Pool Area

Room layout

Panoramic Courtyard View

Inside one of the bunk bed rooms

View inside Lobby area

Christmas Time

Lobby from Above

In the Courtyard

There is no doubt that the best themed resort at Walt Disney World is Wilderness Lodge. From the moment you drive under the large stone gate, and approach the front entrance you will not believe you are still in Florida. This is the only Disney resort with no palm trees. As you gaze around you will be overwhelmed at the massive size of the resort. The resort is built of rough hewn logs covered with a green metal roofing. Immediately the old lodges of Yellowstone, Yosemite, Sequoia, and Glacier Park are brought to mind. To your left, looking over the parking lot, you will find topiaries of buffalo and a calf. The sidewalks have imprints of wild animals that have crossed this path, announcing an amazing adventure awaits you.

As soon as you arrive at the entrance to the lodge, you will be assisted by an approaching attendant with a friendly greeting. This Disney cast member will be dressed very much like Smokey the Bear. This will be due to the fact that all cast members at Wilderness Lodge do in fact wear costumes resembling the uniforms of National Park rangers. At the entrance to the resort, on your right, you will find the bell captain’s desk. All your transportation and luggage needs can be handled here including valet parking.

As you approach the front doors be ready to step into the past, a past of wilderness parks, nature and the American West. Immediately your eyes will be drawn upward, up eight floors, to the impressive lobby ceiling. As you gaze around, you will find two, 55 foot Northwestern totem poles flanking each side of the lobby, and a smaller whimsical one of Mickey and friends at the entrance of the gift shop. The large chandeliers are replicas of rawhide teepees with Indian and buffalo metal accents. The lobby could very well be a museum to the American West. Throughout the lobby you will find displays of native craft work, such as headpieces and authentic Indian cradle boards. The soaring roof is supported by trusses which lead to massive pole pines bundled into log columns. Detailed animal carvings sit atop each pole. In the far left corner you will find the centerpiece of the lobby, the 80 foot chimney to the fireplace. The stone layers are laid out to simulate the layers of the Grand Canyon. Guests will be found sitting here in large rockers enjoying the warmth of the fireplace and the appropriately themed music. Even though the lobby is grand in scale and its decor, the intimacy and coziness is unheralded at any Disney resort. Placed throughout the resort, in the lobby and on other levels, you will find many comfy places to visit with a friend, read or just relax. Rockers, ottomans, soft leather sofas and soft lighting all invite one to stop and sit a spell.

The lobby houses the front desk on your right as you enter and the Whispering Canyon Cafe on your left. The lobby also leads to Guest Services and the gift shop. Near the entrance of the Whispering Canyon Cafe, you will find public restrooms and telephones. Just past the front desk on your right, you will find Wilderness Lodge Mercantile, a delightful shop stocking all your Disney needs, snacks and some very unique wilderness themed gifts. Here you will also find the delightful Mickey and Friends totem pole which provides an ideal photo spot. Elevators to upper floors and the hallway leading to the bus depot will be just to the left of the gift shop. The hallway leading to the bus depot will pass by the Cub’s Den, child care facility. Also in this hallway you will find a very private public phone area and the arcade. At the rear of the lobby, you will notice a gushing hot spring flowing under a small bridge. This begins the formation of hot springs that end in the free-formed swimming pool. The view standing at the large glass windows, overlooking the courtyard and pool area, is breath taking. Near the bridge you will find the Lobby Coffee bar offering continental breakfast and in the evening, coffee and hot chocolate.

The resort is laid out similar to a large U. The two guest wings and Bay Lake surround the pool/courtyard area. In the courtyard area, you will find the themed pool with slide, landscaped rock gardens, waterfalls, bubbling hot springs, and a replica geyser (fashioned after OId Faithful) that erupts hourly. All of this is located on the edge of Bay Lake making this a very desirable area of the lodge for relaxing and enjoying the view of the Electrical Water pageant on Bay Lake. The water pageant passes nightly on Bay Lake, weather permitting. You can check with Guest Services for the exact time.

As you leave the lobby and walk to your left, down the inclined hallway, you will see the grand courtyard to your right, and the Territory Lounge and the entrance to Artist Point restaurant on your left. At the end of this inclined hallway you may exit to the courtyard, or turn left and find the snack area of Roaring Fork and the guest laundry. Just outside this hallway is the path leading to the boat dock and pool area.

All 728 rooms at Wilderness Lodge display furnishings reflecting the US Northwest and American West theme. You have a choice of bedding with either 2 queen beds; or one queen bed and one bunk bed. . All rooms have patios or balconies. A small sitting area with table and chairs is provided. A large pine armoire houses the television and offers storage space as does the nightstand beside your bed. The bath is similar to other Disney resorts with a double vanity outside the bath which offers the tub/shower combo and toilet. The wallpaper is one of Indians and the American West and The shower curtain has a western motif with Disney
characters in it very subtlely. Have to look to find them!

. Handicapped rooms offer a king bed and the handicapped accessible shower instead of a tub.

Wilderness Lodge offers a variety of views including standard view overlooking the front parking lot area; lodge view of the dense forest area surrounding the outer edge of the resort; and courtyard views provide viewing of the rock-landscaped courtyard and pool. The lake view rooms offer impressive views of Bay Lake.

Suites of various sizes and price are available at Wilderness Lodge. You can choose from the 4 Honeymoon suites that are located along the top balcony of the lobby. These rooms include a king bed and Jacuzzi. A deluxe room includes the standard bedroom and an additional sitting area with wet bar. The bedding can be 2 queens or one king.

The remaining two suites are the Yellowstone and Yosemite, and offer plush deluxe accommodations. Both of these are detailed with accommodations befitting a presidential and vice-presidential suite while continuing the Northwestern theme in furnishings.

Another room option will soon be available at Wilderness Lodge, when the Disney Vacation Club section is completed. Once complete, DVC members will be able to experience the theme of Rocky Mountain grandeur in 136 deluxe villas. The villas will be available for non-DVC guests on a rent basis. The addition of a health club and additional pool will be part of the expansion.

The Northwestern theme is repeated throughout the dining choices here at the lodge. You will find the snack eatery, Roaring Fork, located in a cave-like dwelling and newly expanded to allow for more seating. Fast food is the menu choice with a selection of breakfast items offered along with the usual burgers, pizza and snacks. The family-themed Whispering Canyon offers all-day dining off the main lobby. The all-you-can-eat dinner is a favorite with many and is a rip-roaring experience. The more elegant Artist Point, overlooking Bay Lake and the courtyard, offers seafood, game and meats from the Pacific Northwest. Artist Point is also home to the very popular Pooh and Friends character breakfast. This is an all-you-can-eat plated breakfast.

Both bars, the lobby area Territory Lounge, and the pool side Trout Pass Bar offer limited food items along with your favorite beverage.

The pool area will be found within the U shape of the building, flanked on each side by the guest rooms and Bay Lake on the end. The free-form pool with slide, is joined by hot tubs, sand beaches and the Fire Rock geyser forming a delightful visual experience. Trout Pass bar will be located between the pool and Bay Lake. A path to the right of the bar will lead you to the marina where boat rentals are available along with bikes. The playground will also be found near the marina. A full service child care facility, Cub’s Den, is offered to resort guests. Supervised dining and child activities for those ages 4-12 is available and is located off the main lobby near the arcade.

Transportation to all Disney locations is available by bus or boat. The boats for Magic Kingdom, Contemporary and Fort Wilderness leave from the landing on Bay Lake to the left of the geyser. If you are lucky enough to get a room in the North Wing, the first floor hallway door leads directly to the boat landing. Busses to all other destinations leave from the bus depot accessible from the main lobby and South Wing.

There is so much to see at Wilderness Lodge that daily tours are offered. Check with guest services for times and details. The Hidden Mickey hunt is great fun and guest services can provide you with the list.

I can honestly say that this resort is already the repeat favorite of many Disney World visitors. Service here plays a large part in attracting repeat guests. The theming and detail must be experienced to get an accurate feel for it. Any description or photo will fall short of the real thing. This is particularly so during the Christmas holidays, when the Lodge puts on some of Disney’s best holiday finery. So head West, young man or woman, by going to Florida and experience Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort.

Copyright © 2000 by S.M. Moore - Please do not copy this material, or use it on another website, or printed material without prior written permission.

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